This document summarizes an environmental health and safety survey of Vanier Park in Vancouver, BC. It identifies the park and swimming area, describes surrounding land uses and potential sources of contamination. Microbiological testing over 2019 found the water passed guidelines 90% of the time. Sources of contamination include nearby boats, stormwater runoff and wildlife. Physical hazards include strong currents, rocks and seaweed. The document assesses risks and considers mitigation barriers.

1.
Recreational swimming area Environmental Health and Safety Survey (EHSS)
checklist ​(Vanier Park)
Identification
Site Name:​ Vanier Park - Site 5
Address: ​ 1000 Chestnut St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3J9 (Vanier Park)
Responsible Authority:​ Vancouver monitoring hub - Swim Drink Fish ​Telephone: ​604.674.7444
E-mail:​ katie@swimdrinkfish.ca
Person(s) Conducting Survey:​ Katie Moore
Date: ​May 30, 2019 ​Time: ​ 15:45
Background Information
Water Body Type: Marine
Dimensions of Site: Length (m): 800 m Width (m): 118 m
Dimensions of Swimming Length (m): 71 m Width (m): 12 m (beach)
Perimeter: 1.67 km Area: 5.62 ha
Number of Sampling Sites: 5
Figure 1. Vanier Park location outlined in green with sampling sites shown in purple.
Adapted from the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality: Third Edition
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2.
Figure 2. Monthly mean temperature and mean precipitation for 2018 from Vancouver Harbour
CS weather station (​Government of Canada​, 2019).
Figure 3. Yearly wind direction. Data collected from the False Creek Fuel station and published
on ​Windfinder.
Prevailing Winds Direction: ESE Avg. Speed (km/h): 6
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3. Prevailing Currents Direction: Tide dependent Avg. Speed (km/h): Tide dependent
Precipitation Data for 2018
Rainfall Total (mm) in 2018: 1721.3
24-h High (mm): 46.4 (Nov 26)
Figure 4. Total precipitation (mm) per month in 2018 from Vancouver Harbour CS weather station
(​Government of Canada​, 2019).
Surrounding Land Uses:
● Urban ✓
● Harbour ✓
● Recreational ✓
● Field ✓
Vanier Park is located on the traditional unceded territories of the Coast Salish People including
the Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ), Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw) and Musqueam
(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) Nations. The area of Vanier Park was once a Coast Salish Village known as
Sen’ákw that was a place of gathering, culture, spirituality, governance, and a major trading post
among Coast Salish territory. From 1886 to 1902, Indigenous people were removed from their
traditional village and land and eventually relocated to Capilano Reserve in North Vancouver
while the remains of Sen’ákw was burned (​Bard on the Beach​, n.d.)
False Creek was historically a much larger tidal flat area up until 1913 when the eastern half of the
flats were filled in to make Vancouver’s main railway station, now known as Pacific Central. After
the railway station was built and up until the 1950's, False Creek was the industrial heartland of
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4. Vancouver. The land surrounding False Creek has now been highly urbanized with commercial
and residential buildings. Vancouver Coastal Health has classified False Creek as not suitable for
swimming (primary contact with water) and advises only secondary contact recreation activities
“that result in regular wetting of limbs, but swallowing of water is unusual” be permitted in False
Creek (ie. canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing) (​VCH​, 2019).
The area now known as Vanier Park was previously owned by the Royal Canadian Air Force until
it was turned over to the Park Board by the federal government in 1966 (​Parks Board​). Civic
buildings located in the park include the Vancouver Museum and Planetarium, the Vancouver
Archives, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum. The park is known for its open fields, ponds, and
wide pathway overlooking the waters and north shore mountains. There is also a public marina
and launching ramps for small pleasurecraft.
A. Microbiological Hazards Assessment
Potential Sources of Faecal Contamination
Municipal Sewage Discharges ✓
Stormwater Drains/Discharges ✓
Septic Waste Systems ✓
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) ✓
Other Discharges Containing Faecal Wastes:
Moored boats at the mouth of False Creek and in Heritage Harbour ✓
Stormwater Runoff from:
● Runoff from surrounding area i.e., roads, walkways, and other impermeable surfaces ​✓
Other Environmental Sources:
Environmental Sources Category (None, Low, Med, High)
Birds (e.g., gulls, ducks, geese, other) High
Other wild animals: Fish/ seals/cetaceans Medium
Pets High
Swimmers Low
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5. Table 1. Summary table of wildlife for Vanier Park 2019 to-date sampling season (June-
October 2019 ).
Wildlife Count
Cormorant 33
Seagull 62
Duck 31
Crow 149
Seal 5
Canada Goose 160
Heron 2
Pigeon 1
Bald Eagle 5
Barrow’s goldeneye 3
Fry ~1,000
Fish (other) ~50
Table 2.​ ​Summary table of people recreating for Vanier Park 2019 to-date sampling
season (June- October 2019 ).
People Count
Ferry 32
Police Boat 2
Kayak/Canoe 34
Dragonboat/ rowers 8
Standup Paddle Board/ water bikes 29
Motor Boats 31
Sea-doo 18
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6. Sailing 14
Dogs 3
People on beach 20
Swimmer 7
Items for Consideration during the Microbiological Hazards Risk Assessment:
● Proximity of potential contamination sources to the swimming area.
The proximity of potential contamination sources to swimming area is moderate. There are
approximately 20 boats docked at Heritage Harbour and a large number that moor at the mouth
of False Creek which could be a source of contamination. There is also a dog beach at close
proximity on the other side of the Point. There is also a CSO relatively close to the swimming area
that outputs into the mouth of False Creek.
● Potential for contamination sources to have an impact on the swimming area (including an
indication of their risk priority: Low, Medium, High).
Due to the non-point sources of contamination to the swimming area, the risk is medium as it is
not known how much faecal matter is released from boats or the CSO and the effect of the dog
beach on water quality.
● Evaluation of water quality according to historical microbiological data (e.g., frequency of
exceedances of the guideline values for the recommended indicators of faecal
contamination [e.g., continuous/periodic/sporadic]).
According the sampling completed by Fraser Riverkeeper from 21 sample events to date in 2019,
Vanier Park passed the Canadian Guidelines for Recreational Water Quality 90% of the time and
failed the standards 10% of the time.
Table 3. Fraser Riverkeeper 2019 sampling results for Vanier Park taken from Swim Guide.
Year # of Sample Events Pass Fail
2019 21 90% 10%
● Discharges: Assessment of such factors as volume, flow rate, treatment type, applicable
indicator standards, periodicity (continuous, sporadic) and predictability.
The discharges into the site could include untreated sewage from the CSO, along with
discharging from moored boats, and nonpoint source pollution from the dog beach and
surrounding facilities.
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7.
● Effects of rainfall: Levels triggering contamination events and typical event duration.
CSOs in Vancouver flow more frequently in the winter months (October through April) when there
are significant storm events that result in higher risk of contamination to the water body.
● Assessment of swimming area circulation: Effect of onshore winds, tides, currents, flow
patterns in transporting faecal contamination to and entrapping it within the swimming
area.
Since Vanier Park is located at the mouth of False Creek leading out to English Bay, the tides and
currents play a significant role in the movement of water and any contamination. Due to its
location there is a low risk of faecal contamination being entrapped in the swimming area for a
long period of time.
● Animals and birds: Assessment of their types, numbers and droppings.
Throughout 2019 sampling season, there were a variety of birds and sea birds observed
including: bald eagles, cormorants, seagulls, mallards, Barrow’s goldeneye, crows. Multiple seals
were also spotted over the course of sampling.
● Impact of swimmers on water quality—numbers, ages.
Throughout 2019 sampling season, notably in the summer months, some swimmers were
observed at the Teatotaler beach near heritage harbour. Multiple summer kids camps were seen
using the beach and swimming.
● Assessment of potential barriers: Barrier types and points at which they may be applied to
reduce impact of the contamination source and/or swimmer exposure.
A technique to reduce the stormwater runoff from the field and walkway is to restore the riparian
area on the waterfront, which is currently diked with rip-rap. Other barriers include the
implementation of decentralized urban best management practices (BMP) for stormwater control.
This includes:
● Infiltration practices;
● Pocket wetlands;
● Porous pavement;
● Rain barrels/cisterns;
● Rain gardens;
● Soil amendments;
● Tree box filters;
● Vegetated (green) roofs; and
● Vegetated swales;
● Creek daylighting
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8. B. Chemical Hazards:
Potential Sources of Chemical Contamination
● Marinas ✓
● Motorized Watercraft ✓
Stormwater Runoff From:
● Urban Areas ✓
● Areas subject to Pesticide Application ✓
● Areas subject to Fertilizer Application ✓
Items for Consideration during the Chemical Hazards Risk Assessment:
● Proximity of potential contamination sources to the bathing area.
Vanier Park has large grassy fields subject to fertilizer and pesticides that could easily enter the
waterway from runoff. Heritage Harbour is also very close to the public swimming area,
Teatotaler beach.
● Potential for contamination sources to have an impact on the swimming area (including an
indication of their risk priority: Low, Medium, High).
The potential for contamination sources from chemical hazards to impact the area is medium.
● Discharges: Assessment of such factors as volume, flow rate, treatment type, periodicity
(continuous, sporadic) and predictability.
There is no available information on discharge rate for chemical hazards.
● Effects of rainfall: Levels triggering contamination events and typical event duration.
The impacts of rainfall and the subsequent runoff is high. The levels required to trigger a
contamination event is unknown, as well as the typical event duration. Swimmers are advised to
remain out of the water for 24hrs after a rainfall event.
● Assessment of swimming area circulation: Effect of onshore winds, tides, currents, flow
patterns in potentially transporting chemical contamination to and entrapping it within the
swimming area. Motorized watercraft: Assessment of their types and numbers.
Since Vanier Park is located at the mouth of False Creek leading out to English Bay, the tides and
currents play a significant role in the movement of water and any contamination. Due to its
location there is a low risk of faecal contamination being entrapped in the swimming area for a
long period of time.
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9. False Creek is saltwater and thus influenced by marine tides. Vancouver experiences mixed
semidiurnal tides which means there are two high and two low tides with different sizes each
lunar day. The tides are also affected by Spring tides which occur about twice a month at new
moon and full moon which are higher and stronger tides and neap tides during first and last
quarter of the moon which are lower and weaker tides. The flushing rate of the tides in False
Creek is not only affected by daily high and low tides but the cycle of the tides in the monthly
lunar cycle.
● Assessment of potential barriers: Barrier types and points at which they may be applied to
reduce impact of the contamination source and/or swimmer exposure. Chemical Hazards
Refer to barriers and techniques mentioned in the microbiological hazards assessment section.
C. Other Biological Hazards
Other Biological Hazards Known to Affect the Recreational Water Area
● Cyanobacterial Blooms - unknown
● Schistosomes (Swimmer’s Itch) unknown
● Large Numbers of Aquatic Plants: limited
Items for Consideration during the Biological Hazards Risk Assessment:
● Seasonal nature of the hazard: continuous, annual, sporadic.
Additional research is required to assess the seasonal nature of biological hazards.
● Presence of contributing factors (as applicable): water conditions, local geography,
temperatures, nutrient levels, presence of appropriate host species.
Additional research is required to assess the presence of contributing factors of biological
hazards in the site.
● Assessment of potential barriers to control hazard and/or reduce human exposure in
areas/during times of increased risk.
Until the biological hazards are assessed, an assessment of potential barriers to control the
hazard is not feasible.
Physical Hazards and Aesthetic Considerations
Subsurface Hazards:
Steep Slopes or Dropoffs ✓
Depths greater than 4.5 m ✓
Large Rocks ✓
Slippery or Uneven Bottom ✓
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10. Water Conditions:
Strong Currents or Rip Tides ✓ Undertows ✓
Other: (Select from None Low Med High)
Litter on Beach ✓ Low
Floating Debris ✓ Low
Broken Glass or Other Sharp Objects ✓ Low
Medical Wastes ✓ None
Sewage waste ✓ None
Seaweed/Algae on Beach ✓ Medium
Microplastics ✓ Medium potential
Figure 5. Litter counted during the sampling events to date from from June to October 2019 at
Vanier Park.
Vehicles Permitted on Beach or Near Bathing Area:
Automobiles- ✓
Boats/Watercraft- ✓ Specify: Sailboats, tug boats, heritage boats, sea-doos, canoes, kayaks.
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11. Items for Consideration during the Resulting Risk Assessment:
● Assessment of the physical characteristics of the beach and their potential impacts on
safe enjoyable use of the area. Includes evaluation of physical layout (geography,
topography), composition of shoreline and bottom material, influence of existing
structures.
Most of the shoreline is obstructed with large rocky rip-rap. The public beach is free from
obstructions. Bottom material is sand.
● Assessment of potential risks posed by specific hazards/factors in causing injury or illness
or otherwise interfering with the enjoyable use of the area.
The shoreline has steep rocks leading down to the water other than the beach area. The beach
area and surrounding water leads into the open English Bay waters that can at times become
rough and cause riptides and strong currents.
● Shoreline and water free from obstructions and of sufficient clarity to permit viewing of
persons who may be in distress.
The shorelines and water is relatively free from obstructions.
● Assessment of the nature and origin of litter and floating debris.
Sometimes there are floating logs/debris.
● Applicable physical and aesthetic parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity, colour, clarity,
litter) in agreement with recommendations given in the Guidelines for Canadian
Recreational Water Quality.
Physical parameters for water quality were consistently recorded over the to-date 2019 sampling
season using a YSI Professional Plus multi-meter probe. Clarity of the water was recorded using a
Secchi disk. Aesthetic parameters such as colour and litter were also observed.
Table 4. Physical parameters ​for Vanier Park to-date sampling season (June- October 2019).
Parameter Observations
Temperature (°C) Min: 10.5 Max: 20.6 Average: 16.8
Turbidity 27,377.6 mg/L (measured as total dissolved solids)
Colour Average colour: light green/ blue-green
Clarity (m) Average visibility observed with the Secchi disk: 2.8 m
Odour Sometimes fishy odour in the summertime, at low tide
Litter Low presence
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12.
● Assessment of potential barriers to control hazard and/or reduce human exposure in
areas/during times of increased risk.
Refer to barriers and techniques mentioned in the microbiological hazards assessment section.
Facilities and Safety Provisions
Facilities:
Toilets #: 2 (at public marina)
Showers #: 0
Drinking Water Fountains #: 1 (public marina)
Litter Bins #: 4
Access for Persons with Disabilities - yes
Safety Provisions:
Lifeguard Stations #: 0 Lifesaving Equipment #: 0
Emergency Telephone #: 0 First Aid Stations #: 0
Signs/Communication Materials:
Beach Posting/Suitability for Swimming □
Emergency Contact Information □
Other Hazards (list):
Other: _____________________ □ _____________________ □ _____________________
□
Formal Procedures or Reporting Mechanisms in Place to Deal with:
Municipal or Industrial Spills/Discharges/Treatment Bypasses - no
Waterborne Disease Outbreaks - no
Swimmer Injuries - no
Items for Consideration during the Resulting Risk Assessment:
● Assessment of the adequacy of facilities and safety provisions.
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13.
● Evaluation of signs and other materials for public communication: Message clear and concise,
signs placed in locations highly visible to the public.
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